Cybercriminals are so formidable because they know how to perfectly exploit IT security vulnerabilities. A poorly protected password, a lack of data encryption, weak authentication rules, a design or configuration error… the entry points are numerous. And the consequences of such an intrusion can be dramatic (theft of confidential data, service interruptions, damage to brand image, etc.). So, to protect yourself, the first thing to do is to be aware of all these vulnerabilities. Discover the 6 main security flaws.
1 – SQL injections or the introduction of malicious code
An injection is simply the introduction of code into the server. Here, cybercriminals exploit a security vulnerability in the backend code. By doing so, they can retrieve confidential data.
The hacker will then alter an SQL query from its original purpose. For example, on websites, malicious hackers insert their own SQL code into forms. This allows them to modify or retrieve data, such as customers’ bank details or passwords.
One common practice is hacking using Japanese keywords. This involves introducing Japanese characters (or any other complex language) to conceal malicious code.
To protect against this security vulnerability , several methods are possible, such as rights management, encryption, or manual checks.
2 – XSS cross site scripting
This practice is particularly common in sections where users interact with the site. For example, the comment section, a discussion forum, login forms, a search section, etc. The user will then enter a query that can generate HTML or JavaScript code. This is where hackers exploit XSS security vulnerabilities. They exploit user input to inject malicious code, which can then be executed by other users. Meanwhile, the hacker can steal login cookies.
To avoid this situation, it is possible to insert a JavaScript alert into a form or URL. This will allow for the detection of XSS vulnerabilities.
3 – Passwords, a widespread human security vulnerability
It’s not always necessary to look far to exploit security vulnerabilities in an information system . Human error is often enough. To do this, cybercriminals send scams (or fake URLs) to their targets. The user is tricked into thinking they are on a trusted website. They enter their password and login credentials. The hacker then has all the information needed to steal their data.
Besides scams, simple passwords are also very easy to hack. Hence the importance of securing all these entries, particularly with:
- two-factor authentication (password + code via email or SMS);
- complex passwords that are changed very regularly.
This is all the more important given that more than 80% of cyberattacks originate from password theft .
4 – Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks
A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack aims to overload a distributed network (data center, website, application, etc.) with significantly higher than normal traffic. The attacker sends a multitude of requests to the server to saturate it and potentially exploit other security vulnerabilities. Subjected to an exponential workload, the website or network begins to slow down until it becomes completely unusable.
The consequences of such an attack can be disastrous for organizations: financial losses, business interruption, ransom, bad reputation, etc.
To protect themselves, companies have every interest in implementing a robust security system. This involves several measures:
- Traffic monitoring;
- Firewalls and filters;
- Systems for protection against malicious bots;
- A content delivery network (CDN); etc.
5 – Security vulnerabilities related to plugins
Plugins are extensions that add new features to a website or web application. But because they are external resources, these extensions are subject to numerous security vulnerabilities. And of course, cybercriminals know perfectly well how to exploit them to introduce malware, access your data, and/or take control of your browser.
To reduce cyber risk , several solutions are possible:
- Perform all updates;
- Monitor alerts in the back office;
- Limit the number of plugins to the bare minimum to avoid unnecessary exposure of computer systems.
6 – Exposure of sensitive data
Malicious hackers primarily target sensitive data to inflict maximum damage. Hence the importance of protecting it properly. Several techniques can be used, but the most effective is undoubtedly data encryption. This way, even if a hacker manages to penetrate the database, they will need a key to decrypt it.
This solution helps limit the impact of a cyberattack, as well as a data leak. The data will not be visible to third parties who do not possess the decryption key.
Learn how to detect security vulnerabilities with CyberUniversity
Given the wide range of existing vulnerabilities, cybersecurity experts must master a complex security arsenal. This requires training. At CyberUniversity, you will learn to detect all vulnerabilities, but also, and most importantly, how to patch them. Discover our training programs.
